The .Co registry just announced “the public launch of an exclusive membership program, featuring high-value education, networking and promotional support designed to help .CO users to build and grow successful businesses”.

“The free program is the first of its kind within the top-level domain industry”.

According to the press release. the beta program will be made available to the first 1,000 .CO users who sign up and you can sign up here. (Disclaimer:  I just signed up so there are only 999 spots left)

“While we’re definitely excited by our fast growth, we’re not here to build ‘just another domain extension,’” said Juan Diego Calle, founder and CEO of .CO. “We’re here to support the thriving community of innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, developers, investors, marketers and big dreamers who are building the world’s next great businesses and brands on .CO with the fuel they need to take action on their plans – and to succeed.”

“”Built from the ground up to support innovators and entrepreneurs, .CO has quickly become one of the fastest-growing global domain extensions in the world, with nearly 1.4 million URL’s registered by people and businesses in more than 200 countries since it launched in 2010.””

Benefits for Customers of All Sizes

“Anyone and everyone with a .CO domain name is eligible to become a member at i.go.co.”

“Upon joining, members will gain immediate access to exclusive benefits in key areas that startups want and need most – including coveted tickets to premium educational programs, exclusive invitations to networking events, and a variety of promotional opportunities.”

 

“Some of the benefits that are currently available include:

• Free passes to Startup Weekend events worldwide;
• Free tickets to elite educational events like Eric Ries’ Lean Startup Conference and 500 Startups’ Warm Gun Conference;
• Free access to co-working spaces in key cities;
• Free SEO consultations; and
• Discounts on General Assembly courses, live and online.””

 

“All of the offers on i.go.co are intended to reinforce the power of the growing .CO community and to create opportunities for people to learn, grow, connect and exchange ideas – not just online – but in real life too.  ”

“.CO will continue to expand the program by providing access to exclusive deals, discounts and perks designed to make the startup journey even more fun. Eventually this will also include the ability for members to offer the community benefits of their own.””

“The program will grow over the next few months, based on customer feedback, and will be fully launched by South by Southwest in March 2013.”

“We recognize that .CO is a platform for people to create and bring their ideas to life,” said Lori Anne Wardi, Vice President of .CO. “What makes us different from other domains out there is that our greatest focus is not on getting people to buy .CO web addresses, but rather, helping them to succeed once they do.”

Clearly the .Co folks get it.

As the new gTLD’s get rolled out you will see more offerings where you get more than just a domain name.